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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for top-tier sound quality for music and TV and don't mind spending more, the Focal Bathys with their excellent overall sound, superior build quality, active noise cancelling, and good comfort may be the right choice. They also offer wireless connectivity with low latency suitable for gaming and have a long battery life. However, keep in mind you'll still need to charge them even for wired use. On the other hand, if you're seeking a budget-friendly option primarily for casual listening, the Sony MDR-ZX110 is far less expensive, has decent wired sound quality, and is a more straightforward, no-frills option that doesn't require charging, though it lacks wireless capability, active noise cancelling, and the sound quality won't match the Focal Bathys. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Focal Bathys
- Very good for music
- Excellent for gaming
- Best in class for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Sony MDR-ZX110
- The Sony MDR-ZX110 has no clear advantages over the Focal Bathys.
Key differences
Gaming
9.3
5.9
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.2
3.0
The Focal Bathys and Sony MDR-ZX110 are both poor for phone calls, though the Focal Bathys is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.2
4.3
The Focal Bathys is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
TV and Video
10.0
6.9
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.3
5.3
The Focal Bathys is very good for noise reduction, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
Battery
31.0 Hours
N/A
The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life. The Sony MDR-ZX110 does not have a battery.
Cost
$699
$10
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Focal Bathys has a price of $699 and the Sony MDR-ZX110 costs $10.
Build Quality
9.0
6.0
The Focal Bathys has excellent build quality, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.0
7.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Focal Bathys to be very good for music, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is good.
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How the Focal Bathys and the Sony MDR-ZX110 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Bathys | Sony MDR-ZX110 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$699 | $10 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | July 1, 2015 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.4/10 | 5.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 10/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 3.9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 31 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 6/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 350 Grams | 119.9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Focal Bathys
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Christian Thomas | May 2023
"As much as I hesitate to recommend a headphone that sells for $800 USD, if you’re looking for the best sound quality you can find in the ANC space: it’s the Focal Bathys."
Sony MDR-ZX110
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Dig into reviews and images
Audio.org
Audio.org | December 2022
"My opinion about Sony MDR ZX110 is they are the best budget headphones of Sony with top-class sound. Clear vocals, great bass, and balanced sound with low sound distortion. The treble could be sharper, but it's ok. 30 mm neodymium dynamic drivers give clear and precise audio, and an inline remote with a mic give decent call quality. Closed-Back Design also helps to improve sound performance."
Get a great deal on the Focal Bathys or the Sony MDR-ZX110
About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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